Chennai gets Rs 42 crore lake project

Chennai: Chetpet lake, one of the few remaining water bodies in the city, is also set to get a major facelift as the state government has sanctioned Rs 42 crore for renovation of the lake and for setting up a park with recreational facilities such as angling and water sports in the area.

The sprawling water body, spanning across 15 acres, belongs to the state fisheries department and serves as a major groundwater recharge source in the neighbourhood.

“The funds would be utilised to set up facilities for angling, water sports, boating besides open air auditoriums and a children’s park surrounding the Chetpet lake,” a state government release said.

To maintain the greenery around the lake, the fisheries department would also plant different species of trees around the water body. Walking tracks will also be set up to aid morning and evening walkers in the city.

“We are also planning to set up a multi-level parking lot to ease traffic congestion on the way to the lake as well as to facilitate safe parking space for the visitors,” fisheries department officials said.

Can food be far from a place where people congregate? So, food outlets, including a seafood restaurant within the park, are being planned as part of the state’s efforts to turn Chetpet lake into a tourist attraction.